Q & A

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Q: SNH says that moving hedgehogs from the Uists and releasing them on the mainland will subject them to "slow and lingering deaths" ¹ - surely it is better to kill them humanely?

A: This was a crucial question. If hedgehogs were to suffer as SNH predicted, this would of course be of major concern to UHR; but they simply do not. Evidence from many studies indicates that if hedgehogs are released into unfamiliar environments they behave just like any other hedgehogs.

The studies that had led SNH to conclude that translocation would lead to "up to 46% mortality levels"² involved the rehabilitation of orphaned juveniles, not the translocation of healthy adults, as is undertaken by UHR.

A recent study carried out by hedgehog expert Hugh Warwick for the BHPS involved the radio-tracking of 20 rescued Uist hedgehogs around a North Ayrshire country park. "What was reassuring," he said, "was that the rescued hedgehogs behaved just like the resident hedgehogs. Some died but most thrived. In fact if you discount deaths that were accidents or from pre-existing conditions, we had an 80% survival success rate."

Another study, conducted by scientists at Bristol University, also showed that, with proper care, relocated hedgehogs can survive well.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) in a statement in March 2003 had said: "The RSPCA is disappointed by the decision taken by Scottish Natural Heritage to proceed with a cull of hedgehogs on the Western Isles ...there is merit in a proposed trial using translocation as a method of control."

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